Indian Cotton Growers Deal with Workplace Issues
Some farmers in northern India are shifting to other crops as a shortage of labor drives up costs. Baldev Singh, a farmer about 20 km from Bathinda in Punjab, plans to switch from cotton to moong (green gram) and Basmati rice this year.
"I'm switching from cotton for two reasons: I can't get a price matching the minimum support price, and I face labor shortages with rising costs," Singh told Businessline over the phone.
Singh's situation is not unique. Other farmers in Punjab, Rajasthan, and possibly Gujarat may follow suit. Meanwhile, some farmers like Jaipal Reddy in Telangana are considering high-density planting system (HDPS) cotton.
NREGS Impact
Industry sources predict lower cotton acreage in Punjab and Rajasthan due to labor shortages. Both states faced severe labor shortages last year, compounded by the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), which offers workers around ₹300 a day.
"In Rajasthan, some farmers were willing to give a portion of their crop to laborers to harvest cotton bolls," said a source who requested anonymity.
Bhagirath Choudhary, Founder Director of the Jodhpur-based South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), noted that Rajasthan's cotton farmers rely less on migrant labor than those in Punjab and Haryana. However, labor availability was still an issue during the cotton-picking season last year.
Rising Picking Costs
Telangana, one of the largest cotton-growing states, faces a severe labor shortage, especially for picking. Cotton, primarily grown by smallholders, competes with paddy for labor during the kharif season, making it difficult for farmers to find workers.
"Farmers used to pay ₹10 per kg for picking cotton. Now it's ₹12," said Ramanuj Das Boob, a sourcing agent for domestic mills and multinationals based in Raichur.
In northern India, the problem is severe in the upper Rajasthan Ganganagar tracts and the adjoining Punjab regions.
"I paid ₹12 per kg and also had to cover transport and other expenses. Overall, I spent over ₹15 per kg for harvesting. Returns have been around ₹60," said Singh.
Pink Bollworm Infestation
"The job guarantee work is more attractive and comfortable for many workers. If they find such work during the picking season, it's hard for us to find labor," said Somanna, a farmer from Narayanpet in Telangana.
Choudhary of SABC explained that laborers were reluctant to work in Rajasthan's fields due to low productivity from severe pink bollworm infestations. "The first two pickings were fine, but farmers had labor issues for the third and fourth pickings due to poor yields from pest damage," he said.
Rajireddy, a farmer from Janagaon in Telangana, added, "Since all farmers in a village need laborers almost simultaneously during harvest, it becomes tough to find them. They charge between ₹300 and ₹500."
Shift in Labor Dynamics
Developmental activities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have reduced the outflow of labor to other states, particularly in northern India. "If 100 people used to leave these states for farm jobs for six months starting from the kharif season, now only about 70 are going," said an industry source.
Gujarat faces a similar situation, as it relies on labor from Madhya Pradesh. "Gujarat farmers are struggling because many workers from MP aren't going there in search of jobs," the source added.
In Bihar, paddy, maize, and wheat crops keep workers close to home. Industrial units, such as ethanol manufacturing, have also provided local employment. In Uttar Pradesh, industrial activities have increased, making it the leading state for ethanol production.
"The labor shortage is growing, but it's not yet time to panic," said Rajkot-based Anand Popat, a trader of cotton, yarn, and cotton waste.
Jaipal Reddy plans to expand his HDPS cotton cultivation from one acre to ten acres this year. "It's getting harder to find labor for cotton farming. Last year, I tested HDPS on one acre. This time I'm expanding to ten acres," he said.
Read More :> PAKISTAN: Punjab Misses Cotton Sowing Target
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